This factsheet highlights Telangana’s rapid economic growth since its formation in 2014, with a per capita income nearly double the national average. While agriculture employs 38% of its population, the services sector drives the state’s economy. Promising progress in education and government initiatives like job reservations and support for Self-Help Groups aim to boost women’s economic empowerment. Explore key socio-economic trends and women’s workforce participation in Telangana.
Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Suchika Gupta, Bidisha Mondal
This factsheet provides an overview of Punjab’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting its strong per capita GSDP but ongoing gender challenges. Despite a high literacy rate of 75.8%, the state’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) remains below national averages, with 19.4% in rural areas and 17.1% in urban areas. Explore the key gender disparities and socio-economic trends shaping Punjab’s development.
This factsheet provides an overview of Punjab’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting its strong per capita GSDP but ongoing gender challenges. Despite a high literacy rate of 75.8%, the state’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) remains below national averages, with 19.4% in rural areas and 17.1% in urban areas. Explore the key gender disparities and socio-economic trends shaping Punjab’s development.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Prakriti Sharma, Sona Mitra
Telangana demonstrates interesting trends for working rural women – though the PLFS data showcase a significant rise in the share of employed rural women, the proportion of self-employed rural women working as domestic workers, dominantly in agriculture and allied services has increased. There is also a simultaneous decline in women employed in casual work.
Telangana demonstrates interesting trends for working rural women – though the PLFS data showcase a significant rise in the share of employed rural women, the proportion of self-employed rural women working as domestic workers, dominantly in agriculture and allied services has increased. There is also a simultaneous decline in women employed in casual work.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Prakriti Sharma , Sona Mitra , Bidisha Mondal
Telangana, India’s newest state, formed in 2014, has quickly emerged as a growing economy with a per capita income nearly double the national average. While agriculture employs 38% of its population, the services sector is the largest contributor to the state’s economy. Telangana shows promising progress in education, with a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education at 35 and a Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 1.05, favoring women. Government initiatives, such as 33.3% reservation for women in state jobs and support for Self-Help Groups, aim to further women’s economic empowerment. This factsheet explores the state’s socio-economic trends and women’s participation in the workforce.
Telangana, India’s newest state, formed in 2014, has quickly emerged as a growing economy with a per capita income nearly double the national average. While agriculture employs 38% of its population, the services sector is the largest contributor to the state’s economy. Telangana shows promising progress in education, with a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for higher education at 35 and a Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 1.05, favoring women. Government initiatives, such as 33.3% reservation for women in state jobs and support for Self-Help Groups, aim to further women’s economic empowerment. This factsheet explores the state’s socio-economic trends and women’s participation in the workforce.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Suchika Gupta , Sona Mitra , Bidisha Mondal
Punjab, a northern state known for its agricultural economy, has a per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of INR 1,88,015, higher than the national average. Despite its economic strengths, the state faces challenges in gender equity, with a sex ratio of 891, lower than the national average. Punjab’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) is also below the national figures, at 19.4% in rural areas and 17.1% in urban areas. However, the state boasts a literacy rate of 75.8%, with minimal gender disparity. This factsheet explores Punjab’s key socio-economic indicators and gender disparities.
Punjab, a northern state known for its agricultural economy, has a per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of INR 1,88,015, higher than the national average. Despite its economic strengths, the state faces challenges in gender equity, with a sex ratio of 891, lower than the national average. Punjab’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) is also below the national figures, at 19.4% in rural areas and 17.1% in urban areas. However, the state boasts a literacy rate of 75.8%, with minimal gender disparity. This factsheet explores Punjab’s key socio-economic indicators and gender disparities.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Suchika Gupta , Sona Mitra , Bidisha Mondal
Kerala, a high-income Indian state with a per capita GSDP of INR 1,46,910, boasts impressive socio-economic indicators. It has one of the highest literacy rates in India, with minimal gender disparity-96% for men and 92% for women-and an outstanding sex ratio of 1,084. Despite these achievements, Kerala’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) remains low, at 29.5% in rural areas and 25.2% in urban areas. This factsheet explores key aspects of Kerala’s economy, gender wage gap, and human development, offering insights into the state’s progress and ongoing challenges.
Kerala, a high-income Indian state with a per capita GSDP of INR 1,46,910, boasts impressive socio-economic indicators. It has one of the highest literacy rates in India, with minimal gender disparity-96% for men and 92% for women-and an outstanding sex ratio of 1,084. Despite these achievements, Kerala’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) remains low, at 29.5% in rural areas and 25.2% in urban areas. This factsheet explores key aspects of Kerala’s economy, gender wage gap, and human development, offering insights into the state’s progress and ongoing challenges.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Prakriti Sharma , Sona Mitra , Bidisha Mondal
Chhattisgarh, located in east-central India, is the ninth largest state, with about 75% of its population residing in rural areas. Known as the ‘rice bowl of India,’ 70% of the state’s workforce depends on agriculture. Chhattisgarh has made significant strides in reducing multi-dimensional poverty, and its Female Work Participation Rate (FWPR) consistently surpasses the national average. In 2020-21, the state’s FWPR was 17 percentage points higher than the national figure. This factsheet explores Chhattisgarh’s socio-economic trends, focusing on women’s employment and the agricultural sector.
Chhattisgarh, located in east-central India, is the ninth largest state, with about 75% of its population residing in rural areas. Known as the ‘rice bowl of India,’ 70% of the state’s workforce depends on agriculture. Chhattisgarh has made significant strides in reducing multi-dimensional poverty, and its Female Work Participation Rate (FWPR) consistently surpasses the national average. In 2020-21, the state’s FWPR was 17 percentage points higher than the national figure. This factsheet explores Chhattisgarh’s socio-economic trends, focusing on women’s employment and the agricultural sector.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey
This factsheet offers insights into Karnataka’s diverse economy, from its agricultural roots to its status as India’s leading tech hub. With a strong female workforce, the state’s Work Participation Rate (WPR) for women is 31.5%, according to the 2021-22 PLFS. Women are primarily engaged in agriculture in rural areas and manufacturing and services in urban regions. Explore Karnataka’s socio-economic landscape and workforce trends.
This factsheet offers insights into Karnataka’s diverse economy, from its agricultural roots to its status as India’s leading tech hub. With a strong female workforce, the state’s Work Participation Rate (WPR) for women is 31.5%, according to the 2021-22 PLFS. Women are primarily engaged in agriculture in rural areas and manufacturing and services in urban regions. Explore Karnataka’s socio-economic landscape and workforce trends.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Suchika Gupta, Sona Mitra
This factsheet highlights Kerala’s strong socio-economic indicators, including high literacy rates and a favorable sex ratio. Despite these achievements, the state’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) remains low, with 29.5% in rural areas and 25.2% in urban areas. Explore key data on Kerala’s economy, gender wage gap, and human development in this comprehensive overview.
This factsheet highlights Kerala’s strong socio-economic indicators, including high literacy rates and a favorable sex ratio. Despite these achievements, the state’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) remains low, with 29.5% in rural areas and 25.2% in urban areas. Explore key data on Kerala’s economy, gender wage gap, and human development in this comprehensive overview.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- January , 2023
- Prakriti Sharma, Sona Mitra
This factsheet provides insights into Chhattisgarh’s socio-economic trends, highlighting its strong Female Work Participation Rate (FWPR), which is 17 percentage points above the national average. Known as the ‘rice bowl of India,’ with 70% of its workforce in agriculture, Chhattisgarh has also made progress in reducing multi-dimensional poverty. Explore key data on women’s employment and the agricultural sector in the state.
The majority of the primarily rural population of Chhattisgarh is involved in agriculture and allied services. There has been a significant rise in the labour force participation rate of rural women in the state; they are significantly involved in self-employment and work mainly as unpaid family enterprise workers in the agriculture sector.
The majority of the primarily rural population of Chhattisgarh is involved in agriculture and allied services. There has been a significant rise in the labour force participation rate of rural women in the state; they are significantly involved in self-employment and work mainly as unpaid family enterprise workers in the agriculture sector.
Report
Women’s Work in Select States in India: Opportunities and Challenges
- December , 2022
- Sona Mitra
Women comprise nearly half of the world’s working population and therefore potentially half of its labour force. Female labour force participation (FLFP) represent a women decision to be the part of labour force or part of economically inactive population. At present in nearly every country female labor force participation is lower than that of male labour force participation. Female labour force participation in South Asia is among the lowest of any developing region in the world. As per PLFS, FLFPR in rural and urban area are 27.7% and 18.6% respectively. India’s low female labour force participation excludes almost half of the potential working age population, leading to gross underutilisation of women’s talents and capabilities and remains a roadblock in reaping and distributing its demographic advantage. Women participation in labour force varies across different region. The variation is determined by an array of economic and social factors including income growth, educational attainment, marital status and other prevailing local social norms.
Women comprise nearly half of the world’s working population and therefore potentially half of its labour force. Female labour force participation (FLFP) represent a women decision to be the part of labour force or part of economically inactive population. At present in nearly every country female labor force participation is lower than that of male labour force participation. Female labour force participation in South Asia is among the lowest of any developing region in the world. As per PLFS, FLFPR in rural and urban area are 27.7% and 18.6% respectively. India’s low female labour force participation excludes almost half of the potential working age population, leading to gross underutilisation of women’s talents and capabilities and remains a roadblock in reaping and distributing its demographic advantage. Women participation in labour force varies across different region. The variation is determined by an array of economic and social factors including income growth, educational attainment, marital status and other prevailing local social norms.
Report
The Changing World of Women’s Work
- April , 2025
- Bidisha Mondal, Prakriti Sharma, Aneek Chowdhury, Anjali S
This study examines women’s participation in India’s platform economy using a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 598 platform workers (440 women) across care, domestic, beauty, ride-sharing, and delivery services with qualitative interviews. While platform work offers new entry points and flexibility, it often mirrors and deepens the precarity of informal work, limiting its potential for women’s empowerment. Persistent challenges include income instability, high entry and platform costs, limited social protection, unsafe conditions, and reinforced gender inequalities. Meaningful progress requires coordinated action by policymakers, platforms, and worker collectives to ensure fair earnings, social security, gender-sensitive systems, and effective grievance redressal
This study examines women’s participation in India’s platform economy using a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 598 platform workers (440 women) across care, domestic, beauty, ride-sharing, and delivery services with qualitative interviews. While platform work offers new entry points and flexibility, it often mirrors and deepens the precarity of informal work, limiting its potential for women’s empowerment. Persistent challenges include income instability, high entry and platform costs, limited social protection, unsafe conditions, and reinforced gender inequalities. Meaningful progress requires coordinated action by policymakers, platforms, and worker collectives to ensure fair earnings, social security, gender-sensitive systems, and effective grievance redressal
Brief
Women’s Work and AI-Unlocking Potential, Bridging the Divide
- December , 2025
- Sharati Roy, Dr. Mahima Taneja
AI is not neutral in how it’s designed or deployed. It is reshaping labour markets, with the biggest gains when it complements human skills rather than replaces them (ILO, 2025). While AI can improve efficiency and decision-making in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, it also risks job losses and deeper inequalities. Outcomes will depend on whether AI drives automation or augmentation. In India—where Digital Public Infrastructure, data expansion, and the gig economy are growing rapidly—this brief explores women’s opportunities in AI/data value-chain work and AI-augmented livelihoods to support economic empowerment.
AI is not neutral in how it’s designed or deployed. It is reshaping labour markets, with the biggest gains when it complements human skills rather than replaces them (ILO, 2025). While AI can improve efficiency and decision-making in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, it also risks job losses and deeper inequalities. Outcomes will depend on whether AI drives automation or augmentation. In India—where Digital Public Infrastructure, data expansion, and the gig economy are growing rapidly—this brief explores women’s opportunities in AI/data value-chain work and AI-augmented livelihoods to support economic empowerment.
Report
Women and Work: How India fared in 2024
- April , 2025
- Aishwarya Bhuta, Harshita Kumari, Sohinee Thakurta, and Teesta Shukla.
The year 2024 marked a key moment for women and work in India, shaped by economic shifts, policy action, and technological change. Since 2021–22, new challenges and opportunities have influenced women’s workforce participation, alongside renewed efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Building on the vision of women-led development highlighted during India’s 2023 G20 presidency, momentum continued across multiple initiatives. This report examines key trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges shaping women’s work in 2024. Drawing on secondary data and research from IWWAGE and LEAD, it maps the evolving landscape of women’s work in India and identifies pathways to greater inclusion and economic agency.
The year 2024 marked a key moment for women and work in India, shaped by economic shifts, policy action, and technological change. Since 2021–22, new challenges and opportunities have influenced women’s workforce participation, alongside renewed efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment. Building on the vision of women-led development highlighted during India’s 2023 G20 presidency, momentum continued across multiple initiatives. This report examines key trends, policy developments, and emerging challenges shaping women’s work in 2024. Drawing on secondary data and research from IWWAGE and LEAD, it maps the evolving landscape of women’s work in India and identifies pathways to greater inclusion and economic agency.
Brief
Impact of Social Norms on Women’s Economic Empowerment in India
- November , 2025
- Mridusmita Bordoloi, Surabhi Awasthi, Sharati Roy
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) refers to women’s access to economic opportunities, resources, decent work, and the ability to make independent economic choices. It is both a process and an outcome that strengthens individual agency and supports inclusive growth. In countries like India, WEE is constrained not only by structural gaps—such as inadequate care infrastructure, poor connectivity, and limited skills access—but also by deeply rooted gender norms that shape women’s roles in society.
Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) refers to women’s access to economic opportunities, resources, decent work, and the ability to make independent economic choices. It is both a process and an outcome that strengthens individual agency and supports inclusive growth. In countries like India, WEE is constrained not only by structural gaps—such as inadequate care infrastructure, poor connectivity, and limited skills access—but also by deeply rooted gender norms that shape women’s roles in society.
Report
Exploring linkages between womens empowerment workforce participation and population dynamics in the Indian context: A comprehensive macro micro analysis
- November , 2025
Gender equality and reproductive autonomy are central to India’s ability to navigate ongoing demographic transitions effectively. The study, a collaboration between the Population Foundation of India and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), presents new evidence on these critical interconnections. By integrating macro-level demographic and human development data with micro-level insights from women’s lived experiences, the study offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of its kind in India, bridging quantitative data with qualitative narratives to illuminate how women’s empowerment shapes the country’s demographic and developmental trajectory.
Gender equality and reproductive autonomy are central to India’s ability to navigate ongoing demographic transitions effectively. The study, a collaboration between the Population Foundation of India and the Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE), presents new evidence on these critical interconnections. By integrating macro-level demographic and human development data with micro-level insights from women’s lived experiences, the study offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of its kind in India, bridging quantitative data with qualitative narratives to illuminate how women’s empowerment shapes the country’s demographic and developmental trajectory.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in West Bengal
- October , 2025
- Vidhi and Bidhisha Mondal
West Bengal has seen strong economic growth driven by manufacturing, MSMEs and investment, with GSDP projected to grow 12 per cent in 2025–26. However, per capita income remains below the national average. The state has lost around 3 million informal jobs in recent years, disproportionately affecting women, while high outmigration, especially of skilled workers, continues to reshape the labour market. Women remain concentrated in low-productivity informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, resulting in low female labour force participation and underscoring the need for targeted employment policies.
West Bengal has seen strong economic growth driven by manufacturing, MSMEs and investment, with GSDP projected to grow 12 per cent in 2025–26. However, per capita income remains below the national average. The state has lost around 3 million informal jobs in recent years, disproportionately affecting women, while high outmigration, especially of skilled workers, continues to reshape the labour market. Women remain concentrated in low-productivity informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, resulting in low female labour force participation and underscoring the need for targeted employment policies.
West Bengal has seen strong economic growth driven by manufacturing, MSMEs and investment, with GSDP projected to grow 12 per cent in 2025–26. However, per capita income remains below the national average. The state has lost around 3 million informal jobs in recent years, disproportionately affecting women, while high outmigration, especially of skilled workers, continues to reshape the labour market. Women remain concentrated in low-productivity informal sectors such as agriculture and domestic work, resulting in low female labour force participation and underscoring the need for targeted employment policies.